Before the arrival
of the Nikon SB-16A, which boosted with such a high guide number of 32, to those
who had experience with the portable flash like SB-12 will find this flash very attractive. The SB-14 was introduced a
few years later than the much bulky but highly powerful Nikon SB-11, these two flash units were the original two
bracket mount TTL flash Nikon offered as a true companion flash for Nikon F3. Somehow
the TTL-SB-14 has a strong resemblance with early Nikon handle flash SB-5 and looked
more like an upgrade with the 'newly' introduced TTL flash exposure control feature
with the F3 camera and a few midrange models that also fitted with TTL flash capability
like the Nikon FG, FA and FE2 that followed in 1982/83. It fills the gap very well
between the normal feature SB-12 and the big and tall SB-11 handle flash. I have
noticed on many occasions on news conferences that most newsmen like to pair the
Nikon F3 with a powerful Metz bracket flash. The SB-11 seems a little too bulk for
portability and mobility. The SB-14 was Nikon's answer to those who frequently uses
flash in their line of duty. It was designed more compact, shorter in height with
a guide number slightly weaker than the SB-11's 36 and packed so much more powerful
than portable unit like SB-12.

Remember that this is
not uncommon for newsmen to use a wideangle lens from 28mm, the SB-11 can only covers
28mm with the wide flash adapter while the SB-12 is performing even worst - with
the guide number being diluted to 18 from the standard 25 (ASA/ISO I00 and meters
: 25 (18 when used with Wide-Flash Adapter SW-4). Further, with the external power
pack SD-7, the SB-14 can finally take on the like of Metz and providing a effortless
fast, series of repeating flash bursts should circumstances demand.

The SB-14 has a quite respectful guide number
of 32; and it will be diluted to 22 when used with Wide-Flash Adapter SW-5. But the
real benefit also was its wider flash coverage which covers to a 24mm wideangle lens attached with the SW-4 (The
SB-11 can only extend to 28mm with the wide adapter). Compared with other third party
flash which still didn't provide a comfortable solution to TTL compatibility, the
SB-14 was picking up some momentum in its popularity. It was still made available
as new in Nikon's catalogue and finds its way to survive and fits itself among the
many came-and-gone modern AF flash units.Probably, the
SB-14 can still acts as an master off camera flash in a multiple-TTL or AUTO flash
setup and it could well be the last remaining handle flash Nikon still intend to
keep in its production line.Even
if you don't own a camera equipped with a TTL flash capability, It can still be a
very good companion flash for other Nikon camera SLR model operating in AUTO or Manual
Flash control. Naturally, you can make use of the powerful guide number provided
in wider scope of applications such as popular PR photography with more popular cameras
like the evergreen Nikon FM2n, FE series or even the Nikkormat models etc without any form of incompatibility
issues other than, of cause, the TTL flash function.

IMPORTANT NOTES
when you are using your SB-14 with a Nikon AF SLR: Multi-sensor
balanced fill flash is possible with handle flash SB-11 and SB-14. i.e. With SB-11
using with Nikon F5, N90s and N70 and AF and AI-P Nikkor lenses use SC-23 cord; when
using it with Nikon F4 series bodies, Matrix-balanced fill-flash is provided (possible
as well as with others such as F60x series (N6006, N6000) or F50 (N50) with AF and
AI-P Nikkor lenses via SC-23 cord. When using a SB-14, Matrix balanced fill flash
is possible with others bodies such as F70/N70, F60 series (N6006, N6000) or F50/N50
via SC-23 cord. Multi-sensor balanced fill flash is also possible with F90 series
(N90 series) in combination of AF or AI-P Nikkor lenses via SC-23 cord.

Sensor Unit SU-2. The
plug-in Sensor Unit SU-2 controls the operation of the SB-14 Speedlight. It has five
settings to choose from.

Some useful Accessories: One meter long, this
cord allows the SB-11 to be used with the Nikon F3 for automatic through-the-lens
control of the flash exposure.

TTL Sensor Cord SC-12

When attached, the camera's
shutter speed is automatically switched to the proper flash synchronization speed
of 1/80 sec. with the shutter speed dial at A or 1/125 sec. and above. The ready-light
inside the camera's viewfinder also operates in the normal manner.

Sensor Remote Cord
SC-13

Also one meter long, the
SC-13 allows mounting of the SB-11's Sensor Unit SU-2 directly on the Nikon FE, FM,
or EM's hot shoe for automatic, off-camera operation with the flash unit pointed
in any direction.

With the Nikon F3,
the Flash Coupler AS-4 is required and control of the flash exposure is automatic,
but not through-the-lens.

Sync Cord SC-15

AS-15

A coiled cord over one
meter in length, the SC-15 screws into the camera's sync terminal and allows the
SB-11 to be detached from its bracket and used off-camera.

AS-15 may allow some
Modern AF SLRs that does not has a PC sync terminal to use the SB-11/SB14.

The DC Unit SD-7
accepts six C-type batteries, and is designed as a separate power source for
the SB-14.. However it can also be used on other Nikon modern flash units like: SB-26,
SB-27, SB-22, S13-20 and SB-11. I am not so sure whether the Power Pack Unit SD-8
can be used on the SB-14.